The adrenal glands maintain hormonal balance as well as performing other biochemical functions. In fact, they produce 30 percent of the female hormones before menopause and 50 percent after menopause. If the adrenal glands are weakened from prolonged emotional or physical stress, they will not produce the hormones necessary to maintain biochemical balance, especially after menopause, or, in men, andropause (male menopause).

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include: difficulty getting up in the morning; continuing fatigue not relieved by sleep; craving for salt or salty foods; lack of energy; increased effort to do everyday tasks; decreased sex drive; decreased ability to handle stress; light-headed when standing up too quickly; depression; increased susceptibility to infections and delayed healing; memory loss; lack of focus, fuzzy thinking; decreased tolerance and productivity, and increased symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

Research shows that as much as 80 percent of all major illness, including cardiovascular, cancer, endocrine and metabolic disease, skin disorders, and infectious ailments are stress related. Stress also contributes heavily to chronic back pain, anxiety and depression.